July 2024

Fitness Influencer Defends His 3-Hour, 50-Mile Bicycle Commute

From MensJournal.com

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A fitness enthusiast who bikes nearly 50 miles to work each day took to TikTok to share his reasons for the commute some critics slammed as “crazy.”

27-year-old Alex Heatzig lives in San Francisco, CA but works in Cupertino as a project manager for Apple. Twice a week, Heatzig opts to ride his bike to work as opposed to spending a similar amount of time on overcrowded public transit.

“My other options are [to] take an hour and 40-minute bus ride or drive, and that takes about an hour,” Heatzig explains in the video. “First and foremost, [biking] is the most time-efficient way to get a workout in,” he shared.

Photo by Joseph Barrientos on Unsplash

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Here are just 10 ways bicycles deliver the freedom that cars can only promise

From MomentumMag.com

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When some people think of freedom on the road, cars are often the first thing to come to mind. Yet, bicycles have quietly become the true liberators, offering a unique sense of independence and joy that cars can only dream of.

It starts when we are just children. Riding a bicycle was my ticket to paradise as a youth growing up in a suburban neighborhood. No need to get driven anywhere, all I needed was a bicycle and I could start exploring further and further afield. My world grew exponentially. And it just hasn’t stopped.

Car manufacturers talk a big game. But the reality is that cars and a car-centric lifestyle are expensive, unhealthy, disastrous for the environment and just not cool.

Here are 10 ways bicycles deliver the freedom that cars promise but never deliver.

1. No Traffic Jams

We’ve all been there. There are relatively few wins while commuting by bicycle in a seemingly hostile urban environment. But gliding past a sea of bumper-to-bumper traffic during rush hour is pretty great. Bicycles give you that dream every day. While car drivers are stuck idling, stewing in their own frustrations and wasting gas, cyclists zip past on dedicated bike lanes or the side of the road, breezing past the gridlock. Bicycles can actually move as swiftly or even faster than cars in cities, especially during rush hour and under five kilometres. It has been found that bike lanes can actually reduce congestion and improve traffic flow for everyone.

 

Photo by weston m on Unsplash

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Ranking Tour de France Bikes From Worst To Best

This clip is a section from episode 55 of the Wild Ones Podcast. You can view the full video here:    • EF Fire ‘Drug Trafficking’ Rider + Ra…   Or listen to all episodes here: https://podfollow.com/the-wild-ones/view

Our Favorite Road and Gravel Bikes at Eurobike 2024

From Velo.OutsideOnline.com

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One-off bikes from Giant, a new road bike from Seka, a race-ready alloy crit frame, and more.

Eight halls. An entire outdoor section. Demo bikes as far as the eye can see. Eurobike is truly a behemoth, a bike show full of fun new stuff as much as it is an assault on the senses. But amidst all the displays and gear were some of my favorite road bikes at Eurobike 2024.

Below you’ll find bikes such as a one-off Giant Propel, some forbidden fruit courtesy of Merida and KTM, an impressive Seka Spear frameset, and more.

Image courtesy of Rondo.cc

 

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Best Folding Electric Bikes: Dynamic, Portable Rides For Small Spaces

From Forbes.com

By Adam Doud

A folding electric bike can be an essential part of your commute, a fun weekend activity or a small step towards helping the environment. I’ve been writing about ebikes for over three years, and for this list, I evaluated over two dozen of the bets folding e-bikes in the past few months to help you find the perfect one. Whether you want something light to toss in your car or something robust to carry your gear, we have a bike for you in our list below, starting with the Blix Vika+ Flex that offers a great combination of a strong motor and modular racks. If the price is a bit high, we also have a budget-friendly option in the Swagcycle EB-5 for only $300, along with four additional picks.

 

Image courtesy of Blix

 

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Can This Woman Break The Around The World Record?

Riding around the world sounds like the adventure of a lifetime, but also, like an unimaginable challenge for most. However, we spoke to Vedangi Kulkarni, whose goal is to not only circumnavigate the globe on a bicycle, but to aslo become the fastest woman to do so. This isn’t her first global ride, though. In 2018, at just 19, Vedangi Kulkarni became the youngest female to cycle around the world. Now, she’s back to break the world record as the fastest woman to do it, aiming to complete the journey in under 124 days, cycling 270-300 km daily. What drives her to take on such a daunting challenge, and how does she stay sane while riding solo around the globe?

 

Photo by NASA on Unsplash

How to Build a 15-Minute City with Bicycles at the Center

From MomentumMag.com

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The concept of a 15-minute city is gaining popularity as urban planners and policymakers seek to create more livable, sustainable cities. One key element of this vision is promoting cycling as a means of transportation. By making it easy and safe to bike around town, cities can reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and enhance the quality of life for residents.

The origins of the 15-minute city can be traced back to the work of renowned urban planner and architect Carlos Moreno. In 2016, Moreno introduced the concept as a way to reimagine urban living and tackle the negative impacts of urban sprawl. The idea gained further attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the importance of local amenities and accessible services became increasingly evident.

Several cities around the world have embraced the 15-minute city concept and are working towards implementing its principles. Paris, France, under the leadership of Mayor Anne Hidalgo, has been at the forefront of this movement, aiming to transform the city into a collection of interconnected neighborhoods where residents can find everything they need within a short distance. Paris has achieved nothing short of revolutionary change, with the bicycle firmly at the centre.

There is no question that bicycles can not only help but are essential to create a 15-minute city. Here’s why.

Understand the concept of a 15-minute city

A 15-minute city is a concept where everything a person needs for their daily life is within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from their home. This includes access to basic services such as grocery stores, schools, healthcare facilities, and public transportation.

The idea is to create more livable, sustainable cities where people can easily access the resources they need without relying on cars or other forms of transportation. By promoting cycling as a means of transportation, cities can reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and enhance the quality of life for residents.

Photo by Johan Mouchet on Unsplash

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Better bike paths, safer sidewalks, more green space coming to El Sereno — starting with Eastern Ave. makeover this fall

From LAist.com

By Fiona Ng

Starting this fall, a major thoroughfare of the Eastside community of El Sereno will get a makeover to bring better bike paths, safer sidewalks, more trees, and ways to reduce traffic speed on Eastern Ave. The project is one of three road improvement schemes in the works that could transform the face of this 4.1 sq mile neighborhood at the border of Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley.

All of that is thanks to the defunct 710 freeway extension project, which left hundreds of millions in unused funding.

“Most of the money is for the El Sereno area because that was where obviously the freeway was going to be,” said Nate Hayward, Deputy Chief of Staff for Councilmember Kevin de Leon who represents Council District 14 that encompasses the neighborhood. “So the thought was, let’s re-invest in infrastructure improvements for biking, walking, transit, etc, on the major corridors in El Sereno.”

The plan to overhaul the three arteries — Eastern Ave., along with Huntington Dr., and Valley Blvd. — started several years back. Community meetings on the projects have been held since 2021.

 

Photo by Dovile Ramoskaite on Unsplash

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The Hottest New Tech At Eurobike 2024!

New bikes, cutting-edge tech, cool gear, and delicious German food? We’re back at Eurobike 2024! Alex is on the scene, sharing the newest, hottest, and craziest innovations in the cycling industry today, from incredibly-machined bikes, all things aero, to the sunglasses that nearly broke the internet!

 

Best Cheap Electric Bikes: Budget-Friendly E-Bikes for All

From Time.com

Although e-bikes are an ideal solution for people looking to cycle to work without sweating through their shirt, their high price point can be off-putting for many. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the best cheap electric bikes, which features the top budget models, as picked by e-bike connoisseurs. Jump on and let’s go for a spin!

Our picks for the top cheap electric bikes

Best on all aspects cheap electric bike: Lectric XP Lite

As our favorite all-rounder, we’ve gone with the Lectric XP Lite. It comes recommended by Tyler Swartz, co-founder of E-bike Commuting, who praises it for being so compact and easy to store, as well as its strong motor and solid range. “Plus, of all the low cost e-bike companies, Lectric has the best reviews when it comes to customer service,” he adds. “That’s something that I think is very important.” Shopping tip: The Lectric XP Lite also made our list of the best folding electric bikes.

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